72: Collectors in the restricted area
The storm outside had nothing to do with Lin Feng.
When that ancient will, imbued with the meaning of Law, conveyed its vague message to him, filled with both warning and invitation, Lin Feng knew he had obtained a unique pass.
A pass that would allow him to move freely within the Land of Forgotten, which everyone else considered an SSS-rank forbidden zone.
He didn't immediately go looking for the so-called Swamp Lord who had just awakened, nor did he delve into what earth-shattering secrets this ancient demi-plane, full of unknowns, might hide.
He simply did the most important and practical thing for him—cleaning up the battlefield.
He unhurriedly walked back to the now-empty battlefield and cast his greedy gaze upon the loot scattered across the ground, shimmering with various dazzling lights, dropped when the Abyssal Corrosive Megalisk was instantly killed.
Rare Heavy Armor—Embrace of the Abyss
Rare Spear—Corrosive Fang
Epic Skill Book—Corrosive Domain
...These treasures, enough to drive any new team wild, only stirred a small ripple in Lin Feng's eyes.
He didn't excitedly check the attributes of these items like others would; he simply extended his hand calmly, aimed at the Epic Skill Book emitting the most dazzling purple light, and activated his Gathering Skill, which had already been raised to Lv8.
“Buzz—!”
A vibrant green light instantly enveloped the entire skill book!
Analysis characteristic, activated!
Ding! You used Gathering Skill (Lv8) on the Epic Skill Book—Corrosive Domain, and the Analysis characteristic was triggered!
You have successfully analyzed the core Law composition of Corrosive Domain!
Your Intelligence attribute permanently +0.5!
You have gained insight into the Corrosive Law; your Corrosive Resistance permanently +5.0%!
You have obtained B-rank Passive Talent—Domain Affinity!
You have obtained Special Item—Blank Law Page * 1!
...“Indeed...”
Looking at the series of gains, which were a hundred times more generous than simply learning the skill book, Lin Feng's face showed a knowing smile.
He knew that for him, with Gathering Skill, the value of any finished product was far less than the raw Materials he could obtain by breaking it down.
He casually tossed aside the remains of the book, which had lost all its Law light and turned into ordinary blank pages, then extended his demonic claws towards the two Rare-grade pieces of equipment that also glowed enticingly.
Ding! You used Gathering Skill on Rare Heavy Armor—Embrace of the Abyss, successful! Double yield!
Your Physique attribute permanently +0.2!
Your talent, Expert Metal Affinity (C-rank), proficiency +100!
You have obtained Epic Forging Materials—Abyssal Demonic Iron * 2!
Ding! You used Gathering Skill on Rare Spear—Corrosive Fang, successful! Double yield!
Your Strength attribute permanently +0.2!
Your skill, Weapon Proficiency (Lv2), proficiency +100!
You have obtained Epic Forging Materials—Megalisk's Poison Fang * 2!
...By the time he had thoroughly cleaned the entire battlefield, his various attributes and talents had once again received a comprehensive and massive boost!
After all this, he finally looked up, casting his expectant gaze towards the deepest part of the swamp, which was violently churning and full of unknowns and opportunities.
He could clearly feel that the so-called Swamp Lord was quietly...waiting for him there...
Lin Feng no longer hesitated, taking a resolute step towards the unknown land that everyone else considered a forbidden zone.
The deeper he went, the more ancient the surrounding environment became.
The air, once filled with decay and death, was slowly receding, replaced by a strange aura of primordial, raw, and the purest natural Law.
The ground was no longer sticky mud but had transformed into a peculiar moss that emitted a faint glow and was full of life energy.
Stepping on it felt soft, like walking on the highest-grade carpet.
The twisted withered trees around him had also disappeared, replaced by towering giant trees, hundreds of meters tall, like pillars supporting the heavens, such as he had never seen before!
Each giant tree was entwined with various strange vines and plants that emitted precious light.
This was not a death swamp at all, but an ancient Garden of Eden, isolated from the world for thousands of years!
“I'm rich!”
“This time, I'm really going to be rich!”
Lin Feng looked at the mythical scene before him, and for the first time, a pure, flame-like...greed ignited in his usually placid eyes.
He didn't even bother with the hidden BOSS still waiting for him in the deepest part of the forbidden zone; he directly found the nearest and thickest colossal tree and unceremoniously extended his demonic claws!
This giant tree was simply too massive; so large that Lin Feng couldn't even fully envelop it with Gathering Skill in one go.
He could only gnaw at it like the most diligent lumberjack, starting from the tree's roots.
“Gathering Skill!”
Ding! You used Gathering Skill (Lv8) on the World Tree's Root (Juvenile), successful!
Double yield triggered!
Your talent, Advanced Life Affinity (D-rank), received an epic energy infusion...
Ding! Your talent has been promoted to C-rank—Expert Life Affinity!
Your Physique attribute permanently +0.5!
You have obtained Mythical Alchemical Materials—World Tree Sap * 2 drops!
...“My...Mythical Materials?!”
When he saw the words “Mythical” glowing with a rainbow halo, Lin Feng felt his heart almost leap out of his throat!
He was ecstatic, no longer holding back in the slightest, and began a brutal, frenzied...exploitation of this unlucky World Tree (Juvenile).
Roots.
Trunk.
Branches.
Leaves.
He was like a tireless, highly efficient harvester, thoroughly consuming this sacred tree, which would drive any elf crazy, from bottom to top!
And his strength, in this frenzied feast, soared at a terrifying speed that even startled him!
His Life Affinity talent skyrocketed from C-rank all the way to A-rank!
His Physique and Spirit both broke through a completely new, incredibly formidable threshold!
...When he finally, contentedly, let go of the World Tree, which he had drained of all its essence and left somewhat withered, an ancient thought, filled with helplessness and exasperation, finally drifted from the deepest part of the forbidden zone.
“Young man.”
“That's enough.”
“If you keep eating like this...”
“My savings, accumulated over thousands of years with great difficulty, will all be emptied by you.”
“I beg you...”
“Come in now.”